Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I just turned forty this past summer. I still can’t believe it. Where did the time go.
I live on a permaculture farm in central Pennsylvania with my wife, Denise. I raise chickens and bees, and grow much of our food. I’m a big proponent of self-reliance. When I’m not working on the farm, I’m writing.
Growing up I never thought of myself as an author. I’m directly related to three people that have either written professionally or do consider themselves to be authors. This is probably not a great endorsement.
“Read my stuff. I’m the fourth best author in my family!”
I’ve written two “practice” books that will never see the light of day. Since then, I co-wrote a children’s book with Denise entitled, Farmer Phil’s Permaculture. On my own I wrote a nonfiction piece entitled, Fire the Landscaper and two novels, Stone Lake and Against the Grain.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I dedicated my latest novel, Stone Lake, to Denise. The female protagonist, Morgan is a lot like my wife, and Morgan’s relationship with Jon reminds me of my marriage. The main characters’ story is fictional, but their pithy dialogue and deep feelings ring true for me. Morgan’s feelings of desperation and despair, coupled with Jon’s horrible luck, tug at my heartstrings, because I’ve been there before.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure if this is unusual, but when I start first draft material, I am religious about writing everyday at the exact same time, 8-12, until the first draft is finished. During that four hour block in the morning I turn off my phone and shut out the world. If I’m going strong I might push past noon, but usually my brain is fried by lunchtime.
In the afternoon, I get outside and tend to the farm chores. Doing something physical outside helps to recharge my brain for the next day.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
For the craft of writing, I learned a lot from Stephen King’s, On Writing. For big picture ideas, The Crash Course by Chris Martenson is a book that will turn your world upside down. My books tend to have an anarchist bent to them, and Stefan Molyneux’s work has had a tremendous influence on me.
What are you working on now?
This morning I started to plot out a new novel. I’m still hashing out the details and I don’t have a title yet, but it is about an Army brat that joins a high-powered high school football team. Once upon a time, I was a small college defensive back, and I’ve been coaching high school football for the past five years. In my opinion this genre is typically unrealistic, so I hope that with my background I can inject some realism into the narrative.
I don’t want to give it away, but there’s a hazing incident that makes the protagonist question everything he thought he wanted. Ultimately, he will have to pay a hefty price to escape with his head held high. I’m a big fan of philosophy, so there will be the search for truth and virtue.
This will be out next summer.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My website and my subscriber list.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write a practice book before you publish anything. When I read my unpublished manuscripts, I’m thankful that nobody else has read them. You only get one chance with a reader. Make sure you are putting only your best out to the world.
Oh, and don’t listen to your family. Chances are they are not your audience.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Get an editor.
What are you reading now?
The Essay by Robin Yocum. (It’s been good research for my current project)
What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope to improve with every book I write, so I’m concentrating on new material.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Different Seasons by: Stephen King (I know I’m cheating because there are 4 great novellas inside)
The Swiss Family Robinson by: Johann Wyss
SAS Survival Guide by: John Wiseman
Author Websites and Profiles
Phil M. Williams Website
Phil M. Williams Amazon Profile
Phil M. Williams’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile